Friday, September 28, 2012

You know how sometimes things keep happening in your life and you know you just need to write about them? That's what has been happening to me over the past 24 hours.If you don't know already, I am a huge advocate for adopting and fostering homeless animals! You can read my fostering story about Kip and the one about 3 baby kittens. Fostering will forever be one of the most rewarding opportunities I've had. Right up there with adopting Stella :)I can't wait until I am able to foster again and I especially can't wait to adopt my first dog! Yesterday, I couldn't stop thinking about the day when I can open up my home to animals in need of forever homes. I decided to search online for dogs in the area that were in desperate need of homes. I came across a husky named Spook, who is currently living in a high-kill shelter. I have wanted a husky since before I can even remember and looking at pictures of that guy was yet another reminder of all the animals who are in danger.Then, I read the story of another dog, a boxer named Brad. Brad was taken to the shelter by Animal Control after being found chained up in someone's back yard. He was found with an embedded collar which means the owner put a collar on him but never re-sized it as he grew out of being a puppy. The collar had to be surgically removed and they noticed a femur that had been broken some time ago and was never treated.

This morning, I got to work and my co-worker had brought in a dog looking for a home. Her name is Molly and she is a one-year-old St. Bernard/Collie mix whose owners kept her in a crate. She is much smaller than you would think (due to the St. Bernard mix) and super happy but due to being locked up all her life, she is still learning her commands.

My heart just breaks and I wish more than anything that I could adopt them all. These dogs are real. They have stories. They just want to be loved. Brad's foster mom said she'll sit on the floor and he'll snuggle up to her. She'll rub his tummy and sadly had a feeling that it was the first time Brad received affection. Although this post is titled "Our FOUR-legged friends," it's also about our two-legged friends. Today, I wanted to share a story about Faith. Faith, the dog. Faith was born with two severely deformed front legs. She was found underneath her mother after birth, as dog mothers tend to do this naturally when they know their pups aren't born healthy.

Faith was saved and trained extensively by her loving family who took her in. She learned how to walk upright on her hind legs! She is literally a walking miracle and proof that every dog should be given a second chance.If you or anyone you know is in the DC area and might be interested in giving Spook, Brad, or Molly a forever home, please let me know and I can pass on the information!My hope is that one day I can play a larger role in the rescuing of these homeless and disabled animals. Until then, I'll do what I can to encourage everyone to adopt, adopt, adopt! Or even foster, foster, foster. It is truly one of life's greatest blessings.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Due to the fact that I was lying out on the hot sand on the first day of Fall, I was slightly in denial that the season had actually arrived. Naturally, though, if you checked my closet you would most definitely think otherwise. Fall has sprung in my wardrobe! Get it?

Anyway, I figured I'd come up with my little list of Fall Must-dos. Perhaps we can call this my Fall Bucket List? You see, I'm the kind of person who has a list of a million things I want to do and try and make but I never get around to them. So now, hold me to it!

Fall-themed Nails

Can you believe I have yet to experiment with all the nail art trends going around? I paint my nails and that's about it. Bo-ring, right? So, what better way to get into the game than to dress my nails up for the Fall holidays? Candy corn nails, anyone?

Fall Recipes

Pinterest. Gotta love it. I currently have over 4,000 pins but I can count on one and a half hands the number of pinned recipes that I've actually tried. And my DIY pins? Forget about it. So, here are the recipes [and hopefully I'll find a few more] that I will be making!

While we are on the topic of food, let me just tell you that I am in love with pumpkin bread. I had my first piece of the season last week from Starbuck's during my road trip and it was so delicious. I can't wait to try a healthy pumpkin bread recipe like this one. Perhaps this weekend?

Decorate Pretty Pumpkins

I have been wanting to do something fun and different for Halloween pumpkins. I am loving all the glitter pumpkins, painted pumpkins, etc. so maybe this year will be the year to do a little something special like these gorgeous white pumpkins I found.

Buy TOMS!

It wasn't until I moved to Utah nearly three years ago that I saw people wearing TOMS shoes. I honestly wasn't sure what to think at first. I mean, I wore sandals and I wore heels and boots. There wasn't much grey area. Needless to say, after living back on the East Coast for a year now, and with Fall rolling in, it's time to buy some of those bad boys. (But really they are good boys because for every pair bought is a pair donated!)

Note: Since I can't decide what pair to get, I'll probably just purchase them all. Totally okay, right?

Wear My Boot Socks

I think I bought some boot socks last Fall, although it could have very well been two Falls ago. Unfortunately, they have gone unworn. It's time to change that! I love layers and I think boot socks are the perfect way to add some layers (and some extra warmth!) to an outfit. I even found a DIY tutorial using old sweaters!

That's all for now! What am I forgetting? Better yet, what is on YOUR Fall Bucket List?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Whether I was in the car during the drive to Virginia Beach, sitting on the balcony people watching, going for a run, or in the warm ocean water staring out at the horizon, I was thinking. I put Ellie Goulding's "Anything Could Happen" on repeat and just let the elements hit me.I let the salt water brush along my toes at the shore. I felt the force of the waves rip just over my head as I was duck diving. I watched them form ever so gradually until they reached me then felt them pick me up and carry me all the way to where the ocean met the land - a feeling that makes me all dizzy in the head and happy in the heart.

I listened to the piercing engines of F-18's soar over the hotels and out to sea hour after hour. I let the gleaming sun soak into my skin and watched all day as the sun moved from one end of the sky to the other. It gave me a new appreciation for this world. Away from the computer and work desk and traffic and social media, this was life. Days full of moments of life felt in every aspect.

While I was in Virginia Beach, I had a lot of time to just clear my mind and think. I remember the first night I was there, I was sitting out on the balcony listening to my iPod. Not much time passed before thoughts started flooding my mind. These thoughts were so vivid; so clear.

On life being too short

I thought about my mom a lot. It was the first time in our old family vacation spot without her here on Earth. There were so many moments I just wanted to pick up the phone and share with her. It was a reminder that life is so short. A reminder that you just need to get out there and do the things that are worthwhile.Life is too short to spend 40 hours of your week doing something that doesn't make you come alive. It's too short to surround yourself with people who dull your sparkle, don't show respect, or don't lift your heart when it's at its heaviest. Life is too short to settle. For anything.I can't say that enough and I refuse to ever back down from that belief. Sometimes it really scares me to look back and see how quickly the years of my life have passed by. How it felt as though it was just yesterday when I was building sandcastles in that sand and dancing to the puppet show on the boardwalk. Life flies by... This belief and this constant reminder kind of leads in to the other thoughts I had throughout my trip. Thoughts about dreams, relationships, careers, etc. I will be sharing those here soon.

Find life. Feel it. Through all the big moments and all the little ones. Just push yourself to really see it all around you and never take it for granted. Each moment that passes is a moment gone.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

I've always believed that quote to be true and this past Thursday thru Sunday certainly proved that. My mini-vacation to Virginia Beach was a success! As I mentioned before, VA Beach is kind of like a second home to me. It is the place I spent every single Summer growing up - all the way through my early twenties. The drive down to the beach was full of nostalgia. From the way it felt to drive through the tunnel to where we stopped for lunch. I was so excited for this much-needed trip.

I got a lot of time on this trip to just think.Away from the computer and work desk and traffic and social media, this was life. Days full of moments of life felt in every aspect.

My mind was clear. I felt alive. I was happy. I was me.

My heart is bursting at the seams to write about those things. So, while I prepare those thoughts, here's a little of what my Virginia Beach journey looked like:Let me start off by saying that I've been to a lot of different U.S. beaches/vacationing spots and Virginia Beach will always [minus California] be my favorite beach to visit. It has everything I could want in a beach: hotels, an amazing boardwalk, nightlife, tons of restaurants, history, attractions!Upon arriving in VA Beach Thursday afternoon, we checked in to the Marriott Courtyard on 37th and Atlantic, then headed to the beach to put our toes in the water.

After showering, getting ready, and doing a little more balcony people watching, we walked a few blocks to dinner at Doughboy's! Doughboy's is a VB "must" in my opinion if you like delicious pizza! I ended up going with the Mediterranean pizza and it was literally one of the best pizzas I have ever had. [Note: Be sure to pick up the little Sunny Day Guide in your hotel or on the street. It is full of coupons!]

The rest of the night was spent on the balcony, enjoying the ocean breeze and doing a lot of people watching on the boardwalk.On Friday, after enjoying a light, yummy breakfast in our hotel, I walked a little bit of "The Strip" and looked in some shops. I don't care how cliche and gimmicky those beach stores are - I still love them. Then, we headed out to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. The weather was perfect!

That night, we decided to walk the boardwalk to one of the newer VB spots, Neptune's Park on 31st Street. At that point, we didn't have a good plan so we aimlessly walked around trying to decide where to go for dinner and settled on a buffet. My family never went to the buffets growing up, so why we went this weekend, I'll never know, ha.Let me just say that I am a seafood junkie so eating anything other than seafood or Doughboy's at the beach, just wasn't an option. Although the food at King of the Sea [the buffet we went to] wasn't the greatest, I got my seafood :)

After stuffing our tummies, we headed back to Neptune's Park for a live band! They played tons of fun cover songs and lots of dancing was involved. There was a nice breeze off the coast and the weather was so perfect for the last evening of the Summer! I ended the night with a killer run. Killer. I actually beat my best mile time which I set back in 10th grade and hadn't been able to beat until now! I was so ecstatic and feeling good so I sat on the boardwalk to stare out at the ocean of blackness as I cooled off. Another great night it was.Mind-clearing can work wonders, friends!The final day, Saturday, was full of decent waves for the East Coast. I woke up that morning to watch the sunrise [again.] Seriously, who AM I? As the sun rose into the sky, surfboards filled the water :) First, we spent some time by the pool/waterfalls. The rest of the day we were out in the salty Atlantic challenging those waves and, boy, was it a rush! I've always felt so alive and at peace in the ocean.

For dinner that night, we went to the far South end of "The Strip" toward Rudee Inlet to a place called "Big Sam's." It was definitely one of those "hole in the wall, local" spots but aren't those always the best? This one sure was! Get this - it was the only place we went to that actually had a wait! It was right on the water and the smell of seafood was in the air! I got the Oysters Rockefeller! So yum! If you're like me and love everything about surfing, sit in the first booth and you'll be with Kelly Slater ;)We left and enjoyed a tasty ice cream treat because you have to get ice cream at the beach, right? I couldn't believe how exhausted I was [and how sunburned my lips were!] so I was about ready for bed once we got back to the hotel and I packed up. I enjoyed one last sunrise the next morning before driving back to Northern Virginia...So, there you have it - some of the happenings of my reunion with Virginia Beach. I'll never get enough of that place. It comforts me, rejuvenates me, and brings me back to what is important.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

I believe in writing things like this every so often. Some things change from time to time.
I believe in family always coming first.
I believe in taking pictures of outfits in the fitting room

I believe in listening to songs on repeat... and repeat... and repeat.I believe in loyalty.I believe in cuddling up with your pets.I believe in always having an adequate amount of money in savings. Always.I believe in lots of turquoise and lots of Vera Bradley

I believe in make-up, perfume, and nail polish.

I believe in waiting until the last minute to pack.

I believe in bloggy friends.

I believe in *NSync, and The Backstreet Boys, and O-Town, and 5ive, and...

I believe in God, His timing, and His plan.I believe in triple-checking everything.I believe in the 90s.I believe in making mistakes, choosing wrong paths, but learning from them. "Fall 9 times, get up 10."I believe in the unique bond mothers have with their daughters. Forever.

I believe in crying in your car, the shower, the middle of a movie, just because something made you FEEL.I believe in staying up late no matter how early you have to wake up.I believe in chocolate.I believe in making your dreams a reality.I believe in leopard print everything.

I believe in sales and good bargains.I believe in sushi in large quantities.I believe in surrounding yourself with people and things that lift you.I believe in blogging even when you say you're taking a break [ahem, today.]I believe in paradise in the middle of Winter.

I believe in finding your own path and accepting that it might be different from others'.I believe in using your creativity.I believe in not cutting the tags off of clothes until they get worn.I believe in California.

I believe in linking up with Erin from Living in Yellow! :)And now, seriously... I'm taking a break from this blog. Off to zee beach I go, friends!Sign up for the Project Inspire card swap here! :)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I've written three different drafts in one day. Four, if you count this one. Sometimes I just want to write because I feel like I have so much on my heart. But most of those drafts go unpublished because they never feel like enough. It's so hard for me to express myself lately.

I've just been this changing person.

In one year, my religion has changed, my marital status has changed, my family dynamics have changed, my social life has changed, and my friends have changed. I've teeter-tottered back and forth on a few of those things which I had the power to change. Part of me couldn't let go of what other people would say or think.

I am tired of feeling bad for the life I want to live. Whether that's who I was before or not.

Life changes. And it changes you. It sure changed me.As I wrote last week, I'm learning to take the power back. I'm learning that it's okay to go after the things I want and to say "no" to the things I don't.

I made the last minute decision this past Sunday night to go on a mini-vacation.

I need this time away from DC to just focus on the thingsthat matter to me at this point in my life.

I'll be leaving tomorrow to go back to the place where I spent everySummer growing up and a lot of time while in college. I won't be blogging [although I'm sure I'll be tweeting and Instagramming - because let's be honest, I just love my bloggy friends too much!]

When things get crazy in life, when you have big decisions to make, and some life-changing plans to make - I think everyone could use a little time away. Clear the mind. Nurture the soul :) I'm hoping this change of pace and scenery will help clear some of the fog and will help rejuvenate me for what's to come.There's something about going back to an old, familiar place - the familiar sounds, the smells, the way it all feels... Here are some hints about where I'll be:

In the mean time, sign up for Project Inspirehere!I'm also in need of some new songs for my playlist while my toes are in the sand and in the water :) So, leave the jams you're currently listening to in the comments below!Seagulls and the sound of the waves crashing, here I come!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

It's a cute little snail mail post hosted by me and Hollie from Hollie Takes Notes.There's just something special about getting mail - and we wanted to create a swap that wasn't gift specific, and wouldn't put a dent in your wallet. [You can easily keep this under $5.00!]

We have both witnessed first-hand how loving and inspiring this blogging community is.

So, this swap is all about sharing that inspiration through a card you send to your swap partner!Whether you buy a pretty card at Hallmark or make one by hand, that is totally up to you. Write something special to motivate, encourage, inspire - whatever your little heart desires! It can be a quote, a story, a lesson learned, songs that make you smile, etc. Make it special, make it unique, make it you! :)Here are the details:

Voila! Be sure to grab the button above, share it on your blog, and spread the word via social media - the more the merrier! :) We want as many people as possible to join in and receive new inspiration and share motivation!*Please only sign up if you are serious about this and will send out a card. Otherwise, this swap won't work the way we intended it to!*If you have any questions, feel free to email me or leave a comment below!We are so excited :)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Friends, I did it. I wore the gold pants. Which gold pants, you ask? The pants I mentioned last week while talking about what I'd be trying on at H&M. I spotted them once I already had five items in my arm upon entering four minutes prior. I admit, I felt slightly ridiculous snatching them up. I mean, they are gold pants.

Not mustard. Not a brownish-bronze. GOLD. With the gold flecks and all.

I mainly decided to try them on for fun. I figured I wouldn't like them anyway, but it'd be funny and for sure make for a good picture. Well, I was slightly surprised after putting them on that a) they fit wonderfully and b) I loved them. Loved.

Just call me Ke$ha because that's who I felt like.

So, then I had to think long and hard about purchasing these gold pants. If I was, in fact, a rockstar, they obviously would find some real estate in my closet. But I am not a rock star, yet.

The gold pants made their way back on the racks of H&M, but I'm not sure that's where they'll stay. You see, I haven't really been able to stop thinking about them.

Now, let's talk about something that doesn't really work for me: The long-tailed blouses. You know, the blouses with the back section of fabric extending longer than they do in the front? Do these have an official name? Well, those blouses do not work for petite Chelsea. I look like I'm a 5-year-old dressing in my dad's clothes. Not a good look. Do we agree?

I loved the mint with the gold pants, though. Did I mention that I loved the gold pants?

I ended up leaving H&M with one item. A pastel neon orange and off-white striped shirt - I needed something on the more casual side. I also found some goodies at a couple other stores. I'll share those soon :)

And those are some pictures from the weekend spent in the pretty Virginia countryside :) It was my first time wearing my Cheerfully Charmed necklace and it already broke in several spots :( Not cool. Good thing I got it on sale and didn't pay the original $60 price tag!P.S. Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the announcement of my and Hollie's mail swap and to sign up! :)

You cannot get here soon enough. You just cannot. And as soon as you get here, I plan on soaking up every second of you that I can. Starting with a little retail therapy :)

Dear Dreams -

I'll figure you out soon. You've stayed with me for years now and I keep talking myself out of you but that doesn't make you go away. Nor should it. I promise I won't let others talk me out of you either. The time is almost here to work hard and make you come true!

Dear Bloggers - So many of you inspire me every day. You have been the biggest support for me through my toughest moments. Because of how loving and inspiring this blogging community is, Hollie [Hollie Takes Notes] and I have created Project Inspire- a snail mail swap of motivational cards/notes!Check our blogs on Tuesday for all the fun details and to sign up! :)

Dear Jewelry Lovers -Have you checked out the latest additions to my shop, After Sunset? That Cove Necklace below in Ballet Pink is now for sale :) Stop by the shop here and see what else we have! Today, I'm wearing the Ombre Necklace in Sunburst Orange [Again. I am always wearing orange these days it seems!]

Thursday, September 13, 2012

That's the quote I read this morning from the ever insightful Mastin Kipp. And, boy, did I need to read that. Life has been a real whir lately. Between my day job sucking the life out of me, trying my best to create and market the After Sunset Fall line and grow my business, unexpected dentist/doctors appointments, kicking off a new exercise/eating schedule, etc. it's been a battle trying to stay afloat.

I can't remember the last time I went to bed peacefully, feeling accomplished. There are always ten other things on my to-do list that have yet to be checked off and I let that hang over me. Lately, I've just been feeling defeated. Not only for not having checked off the things on my list but for not checking off the things not on my list. [Lots of nots there.]The things I need to do for my own sanity, for my growth.

Although I'm not ready to talk about it here on this blog, I've mentioned the fork in the road that I have come to in my life. The opportunities I have been wanting to create. They are going to take some careful planning, some hard work, and a whole lot of faith in myself and in God.I know that I have to be as best prepared as possible.But lately, because of all of life's whims and other people's agendas, I've had to put that time of preparation as the last item on my list. That last item that never gets checked off at the end of the day because of all the items before it.I read this article by Mastin this morning and realized what I have to do.

I have to schedule my day. Every day. Not only do I need to
write down the days I have meetings or projects due but I need to write down
when to sleep, when to work out, when to think, when to not do anything but
watch an hour of my show.

It might seem slightly ridiculous that I need to schedule
some of these things into my daily life, but think about it: so many of them
are equally as important. If I don’t work out, I probably won’t stay healthy.
If I don’t work hard, I probably won’t make money. If I don’t take time to
think or meditate, I probably won’t stay sane.

And, yes, there will be the days when I can’t do it all and
I need to accept that. [It seems like everyday this week has been one of those days.] But I also need to make sure what I sacrifice on those
days isn’t always the same thing. I can’t always sacrifice sleep or my dreams.

I caught myself saying numerous times lately, "I feel so out of control of my own life!"

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

You know that feeling when you have too much on your mind and too much on your heart to even put it all into words? That's been me lately. I have so, so much I could write about and probably need to... but I don't know where to start. So, I sit here staring at the blank screen and the blip of the cursor. Hopefully, little by little I can start to sift through it all and find some clarity. However, for now, I need a little mental break.

I suppose we could compare that to how my shopping style has been lately. Yes, I said shopping "style." After all, we each have our own unique way of doing things, right? That includes shopping. I had my weekly or bi-weekly rotation of stores I'd check out for new inventory. It looked a little something like this:

It wasn't worth it to me to drive to the mall. Park. Walk. Walk some more. Try on clothes. Wait in Forever 21 lines and walk some more. So, I went where it was easy and predictable and usually pretty promising.

Maybe that's how my thought process and mental sorting has gone as of late.

"Eh, you'll spend 11 hours of your day doing day job things, then work on your handmade business, on top of other necessary things like eating, bathing, and perhaps sleeping. There is no time to think, Chelsea!"

Rinse, repeat.

So, one day I will get around to sorting through my thoughts and what direction to take next in life. For now, I'll take the first step - reconnecting with one store that I once loved so dearly.

H&M. Here are some of the goodies that I just might happen to pick up one day once I expand my shopping style again!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A date most of us will never forget. I was walking into Spanish class when my classmate, whose mother worked at the Pentagon, looked panicked and told my teacher to turn on the radio. We sat there, listening to the live broadcast of confusion and the reports of "a bomb" at the Pentagon. Soon after, our school was put on lockdown until the end of the school day. I don't remember much else until returning home. But I remember the way I felt...

Life changed forever on that one day. It changed the way we travel. It changed the way we think. It changed the way we live. I had classmates who never saw their parents again. I met people who ran into that burning building in Arlington that day and saw sights they'll never be able to erase. I will never be able to drive past the Pentagon again without that sinking feeling in my stomach.I'll never forget the way that day felt.

Life changed.

And the truth is, many of us will have days like that again. Days that will personally change us forever.

Some of those days happened for me this past year. Loss has got to be the worst emotion we can feel. Loss in any form. In the blink of an eye we can lose something so vital to our own being.

I think about those seconds before the planes collided - with the Pentagon, with Tower One, with Tower Two, and with the field in Pennsylvania. I think about that blink of an eye before it all changed - before life changed forever for thousands, millions, of people.I look back at those pictures - the blinks of an eye:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4As I look at those pictures and remember that day as I experienced it, I remember the way it felt. Tears flood my eyes. Our world was rocked. I cannot imagine the fear and confusion the men and women in the streets of NYC, in the offices of the WTC and the Pentagon, and in the aisles of those planes felt. And the pain of their families...I'll never forget the way it feels to stand where the tragedies happened.